Socioeconomic (in)congruence in EU public policy: the role of civil society

A persistent challenge in democracies is unequal political representation, where citizens with higher socioeconomic status (SES) have a stronger voice than those with lower SES. While this disparity is well-documented, the factors contributing to it remain less understood. This study investigates the potential role of civil society mobilisation in addressing the underrepresentation of low-SES groups. It hypothesises that greater civil society engagement on policy issues increases the congruence of elected representatives’ positions with the views of low-SES citizens. To test this, statements made by elected representatives in eight European news outlets on 13 EU policy issues were analysed, alongside expert surveys and Eurobarometer polls. The findings demonstrate a positive association between civil society mobilisation and the congruence of representatives with the concerns of low-SES citizens. This effect is consistent across various policy areas and ideological affiliations, underscoring the crucial role of civil society in promoting democratic governance within the EU.